Building Wire and Cable

Building wire and cable is used in the construction of almost every commercial, industrial, and residential property in the world. Most commonly known as branch circuit wiring in homes and businesses, these products carry electrical current to all external uses of power in a building or dwelling.

The Building Wire and Cable Group and Dues Center develops technical standards and guidelines, influences government affairs and trade issues, collects market data, and develops marketing programs on its products.

UL 854/C22.2 No. 52, Service Entrance Cables including single, paralleled, or cabled conductors, with XLP insulation, with or without an overall covering, which are NRTL Listed as Type SE, Type USE or USE-2 combined with another NRTL Type on the same wire or cable.

For 2015, the Building Wire and Cable Technical Committee is engaged in the following activities:

1) In cooperation with their Canadian and Mexican counterparts, the development and maintenance of building wire standards and test procedures for use throughout North America, under the auspices of CANENA.

2) Amending to UL 83 and UL 44 to permit 600 V rated conductor Types to be rated 1000 V with the same insulation thickness when meeting specified electrical properties.

6) Interaction with the outlet box and cable fittings industries as needed.

7) Impacting environmental issues critical to the industry.

Government Relations

Through NEMA, the section develops industry positions on legislative and regulatory initiatives that may affect member products, markets, and customers. NEMA's work has resulted in contributions to public policy development and in promoting competitiveness, technological progress, and public safety. On the Government Affairs homepage members can search for and e-mail federal representatives to convey opinions regarding energy policy or other issues related to the electroindustry.

Statistics on domestic product shipments of building wire and cable are available. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau has been re-packaged to reflect the products within NEMA divisions.

For members:

Through NEMA, member companies are able to develop and implement tailored, industry-specific market and statistical programs that benefit participating companies. Reports may include:

Product orders and sales

Market forecasting

Shipments by trading areas

Channels of distribution

Financial and operating ratios

Wages and benefits

Foreign trade

The association also conducts economic analyses on the impact of legislation and regulations on member products, and monitors and reports on key industry market indicators. All programs comply with NEMA statistical confidentiality policies. For more information, please see Business & Economy.

Membership

Membership in NEMA is open to any firm actively engaged in the manufacture in North America of a product within the NEMA scope and for sale in the open market. Membership of foreign firms is subject to product section policies and NEMA Board of Governors approval.

NEMA operates on a fee-for-service basis. Each product section establishes its projects and activities and approves an annual operating budget. Visit our members & membership center for more information on joining.